Routine final session for commissioners

CA MERON—Milam C ounty commissioners met brief ly Monday morning for their final session of 2013 and disposed of a routine agenda in about onehalf hour.

Commissioners approved early voting hours for primary election balloting set for Feb 18-28.

Early voting will be 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Feb. 18-21 and Feb. 24-26 and 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. at the county clerk’s office in Cameron.

Early voting will be 9 a.m. to 4 p.m Feb. 18-21 and Feb. 24-28 at the Rockdale Regional Juvenile Justice Center, Fireman’s Hall in Thorndale and the Buckholts Community Center.

First day to apply for a ballot by mail is Jan. 3 and the final day is Feb. 21.

Feb. 3 is the final day to register to vote.

Polls will be open 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. primary election day March 4.

There are five contested races in March, all in the Republican primary.

Other actions included:

• Approved, if needed, extended early voting hours for runoff elections. Hours would be 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

• Okayed road and bridge bids as presented.

• Accepted the deputation of Louis Barry for the sheriff’s department.

• Were advised the county had received a letter from Precinct 1 resident Randy Simcik thanking Commissioner Chuck “ Tank” Balch for his work.

• Accepted a lease agreement for a Pitney Bowes postage machine, for use by county departments, expected to cost about $100 less than the current monthly arrangement, according to County Clerk Barbara Vansa.

• Approved publication of bids for county Information Technology (IT) contract. Bids are to be published Dec. 26 and Jan. 2 with a bid opening set for the Jan. 13 commissioners meeting.